States With High Cost, Growth in ER Dental Visits

Emergency room visits for many easily prevented dental problems are increasing nationwide, according to a new report. The study by the Pew Center on the States was based partly on hospital data from 24 states. Its findings do not mention every state that was studied, but here's a look at places where the cost or growth rates are high:

_ In Florida, ER visits for dental trouble totaled more than 115,000 in 2010, resulting in more than $88 million in charges. That included more than 40,000 Medicaid patients, a 40 percent increase from 2008.

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